It’s Okay To Go Bananas

Who knew the fruit on top of the list for health is the banana? Kids love bananas as they contain three natural sugars: sucrose, fructose and glucose. Besides, they are fun to peel.

A small banana has approximately 12 grams of sugar, medium 14 grams and large 18 grams. An apple is 38 on the Glycemic Index while a banana is 55. Some people stay away from bananas because they are high on the Glycemic Index. Why not use that to your favor? Replace sugars in recipes with ripe bananas. Smoothies are sweetened without any added sugars when a banana is added. I have a VitaMix (a super-duper blender with an engine like a lawn mower that you can even make ice cream). I replace the sugar in sorbet and ice cream recipes with bananas!

The next thing that comes to mind is that bananas are high in potassium. Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sending oxygen to the brain and regulating the body’s water balance. Potassium is included in all sports drinks and is especially helpful during the summer, when kids run around in the heat.

What was news to me is that bananas are very high in iron! I had no idea. Bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood helping in cases of anemia.

Like most toddlers Nicole loves to peel her own banana.

Did You Know Bananas Are Good For:
Brain Power: Research has identified that the potassium in bananas help brain power. A middle school actually had 200 of their students eat bananas to get through their exams. They ate bananas at breakfast, morning break, and at lunch which helped them stay alert and proved to help in test scores.

Diarrhea AND Constipation: Bananas are helpful with diarrhea as they contain pectin, a fiber that absorbs water in the intestinal tract. They are also high in potassium, which can be depleted by an extended bout of diarrhea. Because bananas are an effective home remedy for treating diarrhea, the idea carried over that they are “constipating.” Bananas do have a reputation for being binding. As for causing constipation, this idea may have been exaggerated. The fact that bananas are helpful in calming diarrhea doesn’t necessarily mean eating them will cause constipation. The reverse is true, because bananas are also high in fiber. Fiber is good for our digestion, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action without resorting to laxatives.

Anti-itch Balm: Bananas have natural anti itch properties so try using the inside of the skin on mosquito and other insect bites to reduce irritation and swelling.

Mood Enhancer: Be a happy monkey! Bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts to serotonin. Serotonin is known to relax and improve moods swings, making you a happier person. Bananas may help ease Seasonal Affective Disorder or depression.

Tummy Aches: Bananas neutralizes acidity and reduces irritation in the stomach by coating the lining.

2 thoughts on “It’s Okay To Go Bananas”

I learn something new everytime I read your blog. I have been using bananas for ice cream all summer. we love it! I didn’t know that they were high in iron or had anti itch qualities. thanks for the info!

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